15 May 2026
As we approach the end of UKAD’s Clean Sport Week 2026, we would like to remind everyone about SARMs.
A reminder that this year's theme, ‘Built not bought. 100% me.’, has been celebrating athletes who achieve true, lasting success through hard work, talent and commitment. It sends a clear message: champions compete clean and don’t take shortcuts.Â
Clean Sport Week 2026 has come  at a critical time. There is growing concern across the sporting and fitness community, about the marketing and availability of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) online, including Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs). Â
There is an increasing amount of content online promoting the use of SARMs to young people, with claims that these are ‘safer alternatives to anabolic steroids’. This is not the case. They are dangerous, not for human consumption and are banned in sport. UKAD has used Clean Sport Week to shine a light on this misinformation and to remind people not to risk their health, career and reputation by taking these substances. Don’t swallow the lies.
SARMs cause harm
There is growing concern across the sporting and fitness community about the availability and promotion of IPEDs online, particularly SARMs. Young people are among those most likely to encounter this content online, often without the context to recognise it as misleading.
Using these substances risks: Real harm to physical health - A ban from sport - Lasting damage to an athlete's reputation and careerÂ